Checkrein attachment



(No Model.) v

P. L. ADAMS. 011201511313 ATTAGHMENT.

No. 553,501. Patent-ed Jan. 28, 1896.

ANDREW B.GRANAM PHOTO-UHIQWASHINGI'ON. D C,

UNITED STAT S PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK L. ADAMS, OF PROPI-IETSTOWVN, ILLINOIS.

CHECKREIN ATTACHM ENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 553,501, dated January 28, 1896.

Application filed September 11, 1894:- Serial No. 522,748. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK L. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Prophetstown, in the county of WVhiteside and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Oheckrein Attachment, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for preventing the accidental disconnection of the checkrein with the gig-saddle hook; and it consists, broadly stated, in a supplemental plate to which the checkrein is connected, and provided with an opening through which the gig-saddle hook may'pass, the plate being formed with a rearward and broadened extension projecting to a point commensurate with the rearward extent of the gig-saddle hook, whereby the front end of the plate is prevented frommoving off the hook as the horses head is moved backward and forward.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a portion of a checkrein supplied with my improved attachment and showing it operating with the gig-saddle hook as in practice; Fig. 2, a plan View of the preferred form of plate, showing it detachedfrom the checkrein and disasso:

its subject-mattera structure which makes it possible to use only one opening ora common opening capable of receiving both the checkrein and the gig-saddle hook.

The reference-numeral 2 indicates the gigsaddle hook of the usual harness, which may be of any preferred construction.

3, in Figs. 1 and 3, indicates an overdrawcheckrein, constructed as usul-namely, of

' an integral strap of leather bent to form a loop or double thicknesses.

4 indicates the checkrein attachment and that device wherein my invention lies. This consists of a plate constructed of leather. The plate is shaped with acontracted or necklike portion 5 at the front end, and this is formed with a transverse slot 6 therein, curved slightly and occupying the major width of the contracted or neck-like portion 5. Through this slot 6 the checkrein 3 passes, and by these means the two parts are connected to each other.

' Formed in the contracted portion 5 of the plate 4 is the opening 7, which is circular in form and which is adapted to receive the hook 2 of the gig-saddle. This opening is formed slightly larger than the hook so as to allow the plate some degree of movement thereon, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 3.

Rearward of the contracted portion 5 the plate 4 is formed with a prolongation 8,which the checkrein is affixed to the said hook as ordinarily.

Fig. 3 illustrates the operation of the plate 4 in preventing 'the checkrein from becoming detached from the hook 2, and by reference to such figure it will be seen that as the checkrein 3 moves rearwardly under the influence of the similarly-moving head of the horse the plate 4 will be swung on the hook 2 after the manner of a lever, so as to throw the forward neck-like portion 5 upwardly and the rearward extension 8 downwardly, causing said latter portion to engage with the gig-saddle and thereby make it impossible for the plate to be removed from the hook unless positive pressure is applied to the plate.

The laterally-extended portions 9 are provided to insure the effective operation of the plate 4 and to prevent it from becoming disengaged from the hook as the horse turns his head to either side. Without these it would be possible for the plate to be disengaged when the horse throws his head suddenly to one side and then up, since the plate would be disengaged from the gig-saddle and its effective operation defeated.

Fig. 4 illustrates the arrangement of a side checkrein with my improvement, and this use is effected by means of an intermediate loop 10, formed of a strap bent and having its ends riveted together and passed through the slot 6 of the plate, the opposite end of the 1001) being adapted to receive the checkrcin proper, 11, as shown in the drawings.

The modification of Fig. 5 differs from the other forms in so much as the slot 6 and opening 7 are merged into each other and made into a common trapezoidal-shaped opening 12. This opening is adapted for the reception of the eheckrein and hook concurrently, as will be understood.

It will be understood that the device of Fig. 4 is not the sole means whereby my attachment may be used with side checkreins, since the plate could be elongated in front and twisted back upon itself so as to form the equivalent of the loop 10. Even this does not exhaust the possible devices by which this end could be attained, since others are both numerous and obvious.

Various changes in the size, proportion and minor details of my invention within the scope of the same may be resorted to without departing from the substance thereof.

To the successful operation of the invention it is essential that the openings in the contracted or neck portion of the plate be formed in the front portion thereof, and that said plate be extended rearwardly from the contracted portion a distance greater than the distance between the bill and the shank of the check-hook, so that the movements of the device incident to the tossing of the animals head will not dislodge the attachment from the check-hook. This construction is clearly indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3. It is also of the utmost importance that the rearwardly-extending portion of the plate be expanded laterally, so that a portion of the plate will lie between the bill of the checkhook and its shank, and it is preferred to have the rear end of the plate curved so that it can sweep freely over the saddle under the various movements of the check-line attendant upon the tossing of the animals head.

Having described my invention, I claim- The herein-specified harness attachment for connecting the cheek reins with the harness saddle hook, the same consisting of a plate having its forward portion contracted and formed in its front end with an opening for the reception of the check reins and with an opening for the passage of the check hook, said plate being projected in the rear of the contracted portion a distance greater than the distance between the bill and the shank of the check hook, and expanded laterally about a like distance, the rear end of the plate being curved and adapted to sweep over the harness saddle and prevent the accidental displacement of the device from the hook thereof, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRED. L. ADAMS.

\Vitnesses:

W. D. SMITH, G. \V. FENN. 

